Saturday was finals day for our division in doubles. Lyn Mortimer and I played a South African team which was unseeded, but they won three matches to get to the final, including taking out the German team which had destroyed the #2 seeds 60 61. When I arrived at the courts they were practicing (so was Tina, for the final tomorrow).

Lyn arrived at 11, we had a good warm up and after photos started play against Annelie Celliers and Lynne Hughes. The first few  points were really good but we came out on top and our opponents, playing in their first World Championship final were a bit nervous. We played well and I don’t think ever faced a game point, winning 60 60. Lyn played terrific all week.

After our final Danny Waldman of the USA and birthday boy Paul French, GBR took the court. The points were long and featured drop shots by Paul and volleys by Danny and also lots of topspin forehands by Danny crosscourt to the left handed French’s backhand. Danny though won the first set 62 and went up 4/0 at which point Paul changed tactics, going forward more and broke twice to get the set back on serve at 5-4. He went up on his serve but Danny fought back and ended the match with a terrific backhand down the line pass to win another world title. He’s going for a double gold tomorrow with Sal Castillo in 60 doubles.

The other Americans in finals didn’t fare quite as well. Mike Tammen lost 2,2 to Glenn Busby in the 55 singles final but has a chance for gold in doubles tomorrow with Mike Fedderly. Fran Chandler was overwhelmed and a bit leg weary most likely from her 4 hour match yesterday; she went down 61 62 to Van Baarle of Belgium. Susan Wright and Paul’s wife Chris French lost in a match tiebreak to Ros Balodis/Leanne Swaysland in the final of the 55 doubles.

I play Tina Karwasky at 10 am tomorrow in the 60 singles final so win or lose there will be an American champion in that division. Fingers crossed!

I did a brief detour on the bike ride home and went out on the pier here…there are lots of boats in the marina for sure and also lots of sail boats in the bay. It was a gorgeous, California day.

You can check here for results tomorrow: http://itfseniors.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/matches.aspx?id=7A0DA883-F179-4854-AA21-505B2B399B69&d=20150621.